studio photographer Archives - Ali Johnson Photography

July 18, 2014March 6, 2015

Senior Portraits – Erin | FCHS – Class of 2015 (Charlottesville VA Portrait Photographer)

I have been looking forward to the dance portion of Erin’s senior portraits since she became my assistant when she was a Sophomore ! She’s been dancing since she was three so there was no question about it being a part of her session. I couldn’t wait until the fall, so I had her come to my studio last week. I really wanted to capture some dramatic photos of her so I tried out a new lighting technique…I am in LOVE with the results!

As soon as I started editing the photos, I knew they had to be black & white! The lighting and Erin’s dance costumes just called out for it! I also think by making them black and white, it really adds some mystery to the photos. I also love how Erin’s eyes just pop out of the photos!

We’ll be taking dance photos again outside when it cools down and I plan on using the Ballerina Project for some inspiration. If you haven’t heard of it, definitely have a look. The photos and dancers are totally amazing! Thanks for a fantastic afternoon Erin, I’m already looking forward to next time!! Also big thanks to Tyler for her amazing make-up job!!

============ So exciting! Erin’s session was featured on the Senior Style Guide blog! ============

It’s never too late to schedule your senior portrait, contact me today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

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July 9, 2014July 9, 2014

Senior Portraits – Leslie | FCHS – Class of 2015 (Charlottesville VA Portrait Photographer)

I am so excited to have Leslie as one of my senior reps for Fluvanna County High School’s Class of 2015! I’ll be photographing her a few times over the year so you’ll be seeing her on here a lot! For the first part of her senior portraits, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed out to Pleasant Grove. It was such a gorgeous day, you’d never know it was July! The days before and after the session it had been in the 90’s so we were so lucky to have it be 84 with low humidity!

Leslie is an absolute natural in front of the camera. I hardly had to give her any direction at all! Seriously, she is so gorgeous and photogenic, she could probably have shown up wearing a garbage bag and it would have looked amazing! 🙂 Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Leslie & Julie! I had such a great time with you both and look forward to your full session in the fall.

It’s never too early to get on my calendar, schedule your senior portrait session today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

June 30, 2014July 9, 2014

Senior Portraits – Erin | FCHS – Class of 2015 (Charlottesville VA Portrait Photographer)

I am so excited to have Erin as one of my senior reps for Fluvanna County High School’s Class of 2015! She has been my assistant (and a fabulous one at that) since she was a Sophomore. After all those times behind the scenes, lugging my gear around and holding my reflectors, it’s finally her turn in front of the camera! We had her mini portrait session at a location in downtown Charlottesville that was new to me. I’ve never shot there before but I am in love with the area! Of course I sought out a parking garage for some of the photos, it totally changes your view point and adds a different spin to the traditional senior portraits.

In addition to being my assistant, Erin is super involved with extracurricular activities. She dances, is on the speech team and is a fantastic photographer! You should check out some of her photography work, she’s even taken a few senior portraits of her own!

I absolutely love color in my photographs and hardly ever show black & white photos. Recently though, especially in urban settings, I’ve really enjoyed playing around with the b&w look. Can you blame me? Erin’s eyes absolutely pop out of the photos! Actually, they pop out of all of the photos and are totally gorgeous!

Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Erin! I had such a great time with you and your mother – thanks Cheryl for taking over the assistant position for the afternoon 🙂 – and can not wait until your full session in the fall. Especially the urban ballerina photos!!

It’s never too early to get on my calendar, schedule your senior portrait session today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

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May 11, 2014May 18, 2014

Senior Portrait – Alyssa | FCHS – Class of 2014 (CharlottesvilleVA Photographer)

Meet Alyssa, a beautiful senior from Fluvanna County High School. One of my favorite things is when seniors personalize their portrait session and Alyssa certainly did that! She has been swimming almost her whole life so it was only fitting that we have part of her session at a pool where she practices. This was my first time photographing a swimmer and I loved it! All of the colors in the background looked so cool against Alyssa dresses!

We then headed to downtown Charlottesville for some urban photos. When I found out Alyssa loved to read, I knew exactly what I wanted to do! I borrowed an awesome chair from a friend (thanks Megan!) used a combination of my books and Alyssa’s, and put her in front of the coolest graffiti wall I’ve ever seen! A quick trip to the top of a parking garage gave us a few photos of Alyssa and a small fraction of her shoes collection…I have never seen so many cool shoes outside of a shoe store!

We spent the last part of the session taking photos after the sun had gone down…another first for me! I love the way all the lights in the background look! At the very end of the session, I noticed how incredible the sky looked. All of my lights had been packed up so I took a few photos using the available light. The photo is totally different than my usual style but the sky was too beautiful to pass up!

I had a wonderful afternoon you and your family Alyssa. Good luck at Virginia Tech and enjoy the rest of your senior year!

It’s never to early to get on my fall calendar, schedule your senior portrait session today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

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May 9, 2014May 18, 2014

Senior Portrait | Lyra – MHS – Class of 2014 (Charlottesville VA Photographer)

Lyra is one of my senior reps from Monticello High School’s Class of 2015 and absolutely love photographing her! Last year we had her mini-session at a natural location so this time Lyra wanted something that had an urban feel to it. One of the things I love best about urban sessions are things are always changing! I’ve explored this location before but they recently added some of the coolest graffiti that I’ve even seen!

We then moved to the top of a parking garage for some sunset shots…the sky was amazing!! Lyra you absolutely rocked your session! I have really enjoyed photographing you this year and wish you the best of luck when you head off to Lynchburg College! Enjoy the rest of your senior year!

It’s never to early to get on my fall calendar, schedule your senior portrait session today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

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May 3, 2014February 2, 2017

Senior Portrait – Kassidy | FCHS – Class of 2014 – (Charlottesville VA Photographer)

I took Kassidy’s formal yearbook photo and I was happy she wanted to schedule a lifestyle session with me too. I feel like these session really showcase a person’s personality and Kassidy’s is absolutely adorable! We started off in downtown Palmyra where Spring had finally sprung, the trees were beautiful. Speaking of beautiful…how fantastic is her hair? And eyes? Pretty much everything about her! 🙂

We then moved on to Pleasant Grove for a change of scenery. When Kassidy told me she was going to bring along some books, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. The field of yellow grass, with an amazing sunset behind it was the perfect spot to use my little loveseat. I encourage my senior clients to make a Pinterest senior portrait board so I can get an idea of the type of photos they are interested in. When I saw the glitter blowing photo Kassidy liked, I knew we had to recreate it. It turned out fantastic and may be one of my favorite photos ever!

Thanks so much for a great afternoon Kassidy! You are such a sweetheart and I had the best time photographing you. Enjoy the rest of your senior year and good luck at VCU!

It’s never to early to get on my fall calendar, schedule your senior portrait session today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

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May 1, 2014May 18, 2014

Senior Portrait – Emma | FCHS – Class of 2014 – (Charlottesville VA Photographer)

The trees are starting to bloom and spring senior portraits are in full swing! A few weeks ago, I met Emma and her parents in Charlottesville for her senior portrait. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and though it was early in the season, we were able to find some beautiful colors in the backgrounds.

It’s always exciting when seniors want to personalize their photography sessions and Emma sure did that! She brought along her quilt from when she was a kid, along with a few of her favorite books. When I saw that Edgar Allan Poe and Grimm’s Fairy Tales were among the bunch I was thrilled…those are two of my all time favorites! I love all of her photos, but the ones with the books are my absolute favorites!

Emma was a delight to photograph and is so beautiful, both inside and out! I had a great time during the session and really enjoyed spending the afternoon with her and her parents. Good luck with your future Emma and enjoy the rest of your senior year!

It’s never to early to get on my fall calendar, schedule your senior portrait session today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

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